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  System and method of vehicle policy controlUSPTO Application #: 20060036356Title: System and method of vehicle policy control Abstract: A system and method are provided for controlling functional application of electronic devices operating in a vehicle. The system includes first and second electronic devices located in a vehicle and operating at least one application. The system also includes an application programming interface for allowing the first electronic device to interface with the second electronic device. The system further includes memory storing in a database policy data including policy rules and logic for controlling functionality of a device made available in the vehicle. The system has a policy controller for applying the rules and logic in the policy data and controlling the one or more functions based on the application of the rules and logic. (end of abstract) Agent: Price, Heneveld, Cooper, Dewitt & Litton, LLP - Grand Rapids, MI, US Inventors: Vladimir Rasin, Craig Simonds USPTO Applicaton #: 20060036356 - Class: 701001000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Data Processing: Vehicles, Navigation, And Relative Location, Vehicle Control, Guidance, Operation, Or Indication The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060036356. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
BACKGROUND OF THF INVENTION [0001] The present invention generally relates to integrated control of electronics onboard a vehicle and, more particularly, to a system and method of controlling functions made available with electronic systems and devices employed onboard a vehicle. [0002] Automotive vehicles are being equipped with increasing numbers of electronic controllers and related devices. Conventional vehicles generally employ multiple sensors and control modules that may communicate a very limited and defined set of data via a proprietary communication protocol on a dedicated vehicle data communication bus. For example, the vehicle original equipment manufacturer (OEM) data communication bus is generally coupled to an engine control module, a chassis control module, a power train control module, a body module, onboard diagnostics, a speedometer, a fuel level sensor (gauge), and various other electronic devices. [0003] Additionally, automotive vehicles are also being equipped with various infotainment devices such as an audio radio tuner, a compact disc (CD) or digital versatile disc (DVD) player, a television, and a navigation system. These and other onboard integrated electronic devices are generally interfaced with one or more human machine interfaces (HMIs), such as a visual display with user input keypads or a voice-based human machine interface employing a microphone and one or more audio speakers. These devices may be individually coupled to a multi-media bus, which is typically separated from the vehicle OEM data communication bus. [0004] In addition to the onboard integrated devices, various wireless consumer electronic devices may also be utilized in the vehicle. For example, cellular phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), and digital music players, such as an MP3 player, brought into a vehicle by a passenger may have some limited ability to communicate with each other and one or more devices integrated in the vehicle via wire or wireless (e.g., Bluetooth) data communication link(s). [0005] These devices and communication systems collectively provide multiple sources of data and information and offer various functions that can be useful in performing a wide variety of tasks and/or objectives. For example, it may be desirable for a vehicle navigation system to provide customized navigation services based on vehicle status information, user preferences, and/or weather and traffic information. Additionally, it may be desirable to integrate a human machine interface in a vehicle with a cell phone to provide integrated access and control of the cell phone or make cell phone communication available to communicate data for use in other devices. [0006] As future vehicles become even more intelligent and electronic devices are further integrated in the vehicle, the total functionality provided by such devices will grow and become more difficult to control. The uncontrolled availability of certain functions made available by these devices can be problematic. For example, some functional aspects made available by electronic devices can be distractive to the driver of the vehicle. Additionally, uncontrolled access to certain functions made available with some electronic devices can become an annoyance and can be relatively complex to operate. [0007] Accordingly, it is desirable to provide for a system and method of controlling the functionality made available with multiple electronic devices operating in a vehicle. In particular, it is desirable to provide for a system and method of managing the complexity of the in-vehicle infrastructure in a manner that is beneficial to the passengers in the vehicle. For example, it is desirable to provide for enhanced integration and operation of a PDA when employed in the vehicle. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0008] According to one aspect of the present invention, a system is provided for controlling application of one or more electronic devices operating in a vehicle. The system includes a first electronic device located on a vehicle and operating at least one application, and a second electronic device located on the vehicle. The system also includes an interface for allowing the first electronic device to interface with the second electronic device. The system further includes memory storing policy data including policy rules for one or more services and logic for controlling functions available with at least one of the first and second electronic devices. The system has a policy controller for applying the rules in the policy data to determine whether one or more of the functions may be performed and controlling the one or more functions based on the application of the rules and logic. [0009] According to a further aspect of the present invention, a method of controlling application of one or more electronic devices operating in a vehicle is provided. The method includes the steps of providing a first electronic device and a second electronic device in a vehicle and interfacing the first electronic device with the second electronic device in the vehicle. The method also includes the steps of storing policy data comprising rules for defining policy and logic to be applied to the rules. The method further includes the steps of initiating an application of at least one of the first and second electronic devices and applying the rules in the policy data to determine whether at least one of the functions can be performed based on the policy data. The method further controls the one or more functions based on the application of the rules and logic. [0010] The system and method of the present invention advantageously controls the functionality made available by one or more electronic devices operating in a vehicle. This is achieved by applying a set of policy data comprising rules and logic that control whether a given function may be allowed to operate within the vehicle. The rules and logic may be provided by a vehicle manufacturer or other authorized supplier. [0011] These and other features, advantages and objects of the present invention will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to the following specification, claims and appended drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0012] The present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings. [0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the cockpit of a vehicle equipped with an electronics (e.g., infotainment) system having integrated user interfacing electronic devices. [0014] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a vehicle consumer services interface (VCSI) host platform interfacing with a plurality of electronic devices in the vehicle. [0015] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating the functional layout of the VCSI host platform shown in FIG. 2. [0016] FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating one example of the use of a policy application programming interface (API) according to the present invention. [0017] FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating applications operating with the policy API. [0018] FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating policy entries containing rules, logic and actions for implementing the policy API in the VCSI host platform. [0019] FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating interaction of the VCSI host platform with a vehicle manufacturer server to acquire updated policy data. [0020] FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating registration and activation of the VCSI policy, according to one embodiment. [0021] FIGS. 9A and 9B are a state diagram further illustrating the VCSI policy registration and activation of FIG. 8. Continue reading... Full patent description for System and method of vehicle policy control Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this System and method of vehicle policy control patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. 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